Fluid check



ay 31,, 1938. s. o. STAGEBERG 2, 2

FLUID CHECK Filed Oct. 19, 1936 I Sheets-Sheet l 66 2.5 85 7 1.4: 25 Jvvuenio'a 5i 7' i5 Sterling O. Stageberg atkommw I Patented May 31, 1938 UNITED STATES 2,119,365"? FLUID CHECK Sterling O. Stageberg, Hedi Wing Minn. Application October 19, 1936, Serial No. 106,359 18 Claims. (01. 16-513. I

My invention relates to fluid checks and has for anobject to provide a fluid check which is exceedingly simple in construction.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a fluid check which is practical and efficient in operation.

An object of the invention resides in providing' a check which can be readily manufactured and sold at a low cost.

A still further object of the invention resides in constructing the check so that the same may be mortised into the edge of a door.

An object of the invention resides in providing a check in which a leaf spring is employed which performs the dual purpose of affording power for moving the object with whichit is connected and also forms the expansible chamber by means of which timed operation of the device is procured.

A still further object of the invention resides in the specific construction and arrangement of parts bymeans of which the expansible chamber is formed. a

Another object of the invention resides in the specific construction and arrangement of parts by means of which the control of fluid from and to the expansible chamber is procured.

An object of the invention resides in forming the fluidcontrol means by procuring resilient contact of the leaf spring with one of the convolutions thereof or with the wall of the case in which the spring is installed or by engagement with a movable plate.

A feature of the invention resides in providing a cylindrical or other longitudinally extending compartment in the case and in mounting the rotatable member to which the leaf spring is attached eccentrically within said compartment.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing the fluid chamber with a movable end plate adapted to engage the edge of the spring to form a tight joint therebetween. A still further object of the invention resides in constructing the device so that said movable end plate is urged into engagement with the spring through the pressure created in the device. A specific object of the invention resides in utilizing said movable end plate as a valve.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter illustrated and/or described.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective viewv of a portion of. a

ATEN Q H door and frame illustrating the application of an embodiment of my invention thereto.

Fig. 2 is an elevational sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.'

Fig. Sis an inverted plan sectional view taken on line 3-3 ofFig. Z'and drawn t'oa smaller scale.

Figs 4 is a fragmentary detail sectional View taken on line 4--4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a. View similar to Fig. l of a modification of the invention.

Fig. 6 is an elevational sectional View on line 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is an inverted plan sectional view taken on line l-i of Fig. 6. a 1 I Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. '7 of a portion of the structure illustrated therein and showingthe parts in altered position; a

For the purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown'in Fig. l a door ill mounted within a door frame H having a casing l2 extending about the same'and provided with a header 2!]. Door lilis hung on the frame ll by'means of hinges l9. This construction has been shown merely for the purpose of illustrating the manher of attaching the invention thereto and since the specific construction. of the door and frame taken forms no feature of the invention, the details thereof have not been disclosed in this application.

The check proper illustratedin Fig. 1 comprises a case 13 preferably constructed of sheet metal, which is provided with a cylindrical wall I4 and a bottom l5, both stamped out of the same sheet of material. The wall M is enlarged at itsupper end as indicated at [6 to form a shoulder l l, the purpose of which will be presently described in detail. The case I3 is closed by means of a cap is which is also constructed from sheet metal and which is constructed with a cylindrical wall 2! adapted to fit into the porti on it of case i3. This cap is constructed with a top 22 similar to the bottom l5 of the case l3. For securing the cap I8 in position a number of machine screws 23 are employed, which pass ID on which the check is to be mounted. A bolt 28 passes jointly through the two legs 26 and serves to clamp the cylindrical portion 25 firmly about the case I3 and to hold the bracket 24 securely attached to said case. Screws 3| extend through the feet 26 and are screwed into the door I0, whereby the check is properly mounted upon the door.

Within the interior of the case I3 is disposed a partition 32 which is of a thickness considerably greater than that of the walls of the case I3 and the cap I8 and which fits snugly within the portion I6 of the case. This partition rests upon the shoulder I1 formed at the juncture of the portion I6 of case I3 with the wall I4 thereof. Partition 32 is held against this shoulder by means of the extreme edge 33 of the cylindrical portion 2| of cap I8 which butts against the upper surface of said partition as clearly shown in Fig. 2. Partition 32 divides the interior of the case I3 into two compartments indicated by the reference numerals 34 and 35, the former being above the partition and the latter below it.

Mounted within the case I3 is a shaft 36 which is journaled for rotation with respect to said spindle in a bearing 31. Bearing 31 is reduced at its ends as indicated at 42 and 43, which parts fit into holes 44 and 45 formed in the top 22 of cap I8 and in the partition 32 respectively. The shoulders 46 and 41 formed at the reduced portions 42 and 43 of the bearing 31 hold the said bearing in proper position and also assist in maintaining the partition 32 seated upon the shoulder I1 of case I3. The shaft 36 is constructed with a portion 48 which is journaled in the bearing 31 and is constructed with another portion 5| reduced in diameter and which extends into the compartment 35 of case I3. The extreme end 52 of this shaft is further reduced in diameter and is journaled in a bearing 53 screwed into the bottom I5 of case I3.

The portion 52 of shaft 48 is fluted or constructed with splines as shown in Fig. 3 and has attached to it a cylindrical head 54 of'dimensions somewhat less than the height of the compartment 35 and substantially equal to the distance between the end 55 of bearing 53 and the end 56 of bearing 31. This head seats against the under surface 51 of partition 32. Within the interior of compartment 31 is disposed a spiraled leaf spring 58 which is attached at one end 6| to the cylindrical wall I4 of case I3 by means of bolts 62. The other end of this leaf spring is constructed with a loop 63 which is lodged within a cylindrical socket 64 in the periphery of the head 54. This socket is constructed by drilling or otherwise machining the head and is of a circular extent greater than a semi-circle so that when the loop 63 is lodged within the same, said loop becomes firmly mounted within said socket and cannot be displaced therefrom, excepting by endwise movement of the said loop out of said socket. The spring 58 consists of three convolutions 65, 66 and 61 which are successively larger in diameter. The shaft 48 is so positioned with respect to the wall I4 of the case I3 that said convolutions where they pass between the head 54 and said wall fit snugly therebetween and prevent leakage of fluid through the lines of contact between said convolutions and the head and case of the device. By means of these convolutions a number of chambers 1|, 12, 13 and 14 are formed between the head 54, the case I3 and the various convolutions, which chambers function in a manner to be presently described in detail.

For closing the lower end of the chambers 1|, 12, 13 and 14 an end plate 15 is employed which is disposed within the lowermost portion of the case I3. The upper surface 10 of this end plate seats against the lower end surface 16 of the head 54 and also against the lower edges 11 of the spring 58. The upper edges 18 of said spring engage the under surface 51 of the partition 32. Both the head 54 and the spring 58 are accurately ground to height so that a close fit is formed between the same and the partition 32 and plate 15, to make the chambers 1|, 12 and 13 leak proof with respect to the chamber 14 when the parts are urged together. Plate 15 fits loosely within the case I3 and is constructed with a hole 8| loosely encircling the bearing 53. A crinkle spring 82 disposed between the bottom I5 of case I3 and said plate urges the parts into engagement. By means of the plate 15 another chamber 83 is formed below said plate which is always in communication with the chamber 14 and forms a part thereof.

The chambers 1| and 12 communicate with the compartment 34 by means of two holes 84 and 85 which are drilled directly through the partition 32. These holes are also in communication with one another through a hole 86. Chamber 13 is in communication with the hole 86 through another hole 81. A screw 88 threaded in the partition 32 is formed with a conical point 9| adapted to close the hole 81 and also to enter the hole 85. By means of this screw the rate of entry of fluid into chambers 12 and 13 may be controlled.

The chamber 14 is connected to the compartment 34 by means of holes 92, 93 and 94 which are arranged as shown in detail in Fig. 4. A screw 95 similar to screw 88 controls the rate of flow through these various holes.

The shaft 36 is formed with a protruding portion 96 which is fluted or splined and is similar to the portion 5| and which has attached to it an arm 91. The portion 96 is reduced in diameter with respect to the major portion of said shaft to form a shoulder 98 against which said arm is seated. The extreme end |0| of said shaft is threaded to receive a nut I02 which clamps the arm 91 against the shoulder 98 and holds the arm firmly secured to shaft 36. Arm 91 is pivoted by means of a bolt I03 to a link I04 which in turn is pivoted by means of a bolt I05 to a bracket I06. Bracket I06 is attached to the header I2 of casing II by means of screws I01 and said bracket is mounted on said casing in approximately the location shown in Fig. 1. When the door I0 is opened and closed, arm 91 is rotated in a manner to be presently described in detail and the spring 58 tensioned and released to effect timed movement of the door. The interior of the case I3 is filled with a suitable oil which is inserted into the same through an oil hole I08 closed by means of a cap I09.

The operation of the device shown in Figs. 1 to 4 is as follows: When the door I8 is moved into opening position and swung about the hinges I9, arm 91 is given a clockwise movement when viewed from below. Spring 58 is normally straight and when coiled as shown in Fig. 3, exerts a pressure tending to procure counter-clockwise movement of the shaft 48 when viewed from beneath the device. Clockwise movement of the head 54 causes further tensioning of the spring 58 which closes up the chambers 1|, 12 and and-1 3. *is forcedthrough the holes 92, 93 and 94 and into compartment 34 and the chambers 11, 12

"13 and which increases the size of thecham- -ber 14.

15 which yields downwardly through the action of the spring 82. This oil flows along the plate 15 and quickly enters the chamber 14. When thedoor ID has been opened the proper amount and the said door is released, spring 51 immediately tends to assume its normal position and produce counter-clockwise movement of the shaft 48 and head 54. Pressure is now created in chamber14 and suction in chambers 1|, 12 The oil contained within chamber 14 and 13 are filled with oil from said compartments which travel through the holes 84, 85, 86

and 81. Flowthrough these various holes is controlled by the two screws 88 and 95. It may be- 'come desirable to have the door closed more rapidly at the outset than when approaching closing position. This can be accomplished by means of the screw 88 and in such case holes 84- and 85 are left wide open and the hole 81 partly covered. In this manner the spring 51 forces the door into closing position and the various ports control the movement of said spring 58 to procure timed closing of the door.

It will be noted that when checking is being procured that chambers 1|, 12 and 13 are under suction and that chamber 14 is under pressure. The suction created in these first named chambers tends to draw the partition 32 and plate 15 toward one another and effect a seal between the surfaces 51 and 10 and the edges 11 and 18 of the spring 58 and also between the ends of the head 54 and the surfaces 51 and 13. Thus leakage is prevented into these chambers excepting through the controlled ports provided therefor. The pressure in chamber 14 is communicated to the chamber 83 and the pressure in this chamber merely serves to urge the plate 15 into engagement with the spring as previously described. The bearing 53 being screwed tight to the bottom I5 it becomes impossible for oil to leak out of the case. If leakage of oil should occur between the partition 32 and the portion I6 of said case I3 such oil would merely flow into the compartment 34 which serves as a reservoir for oil. A lesser opening of the ports between chamber 14 and compartment 34 controlled by screw 95 would then be required so that any variation in the construction of these parts would not alter the operation of the invention. Compartment 34 serves merely as a reservoir for the surplus oil and is at no time under pressure. There is, therefore, no danger of leakage of oil out of the check through any portion of the same and once the check has been filled with oil, the same continues to operate indefinitely.

In Fig. 5 I have shown a modification of the invention which is adapted to be mortised into the upper rail 29 of the door I8 instead of being attached to the exterior of the door. This device consists of a case indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral II I which is stamped from a single sheet of material to provide a bottom H2, spaced parallel side walls H3 and H4, curved side walls H5 and H6 connected therewith and a flange H1 extending about all of said side walls. By means of this construction a chamber H is formed within the case. The case II I is closed by means of a closure H8 which is constructed as a casting and is provided with upper and lower walls I2I and I22 to provide a chamber I23 between the same. The two walls I2I and I22 are connected together at the marginal portions of the same as indicated at I24 to close said walls at their edges. The closure H8 extends outwardly beyond the portion I24 of the structure to form a flange indicated by the reference numeral I35. The case III is secured to the closure H8 by means of screws I26 which pass through the flange I I1 of said case and are threaded intothe flange I25 of closure I I8. The entire structure is attached to the rail 29 of door III by means of wood screws I28 which extend through the flange I25 and are screwed into the rail proper. The case II I is set into a mortise I29 in rail 29 while the iiange I25 is received within a recess I3Iin the upper portion of the rail, making the housed portion of the device flush with the upper edge of the door.

In the bottom H2 of case III is formed a depressed boss I32 which is constructed with a socket I33 serving as a bearing for the lower end I34 of a shaft I35. The upper end I36 of this shaft is journaled in a bore I31 formed in a boss I38 connecting the two walls HI and I22 of closure H8. The portions I36 and I34 of shaft I35 are cylindrical to journal said shaft for rotation while the intermediate portion I28 of said shaft is ovular as best shown in Figs. '7 and 8 for a purpose to be presently described in detail.

The extreme end of the portion I36 of shaft I35 is fluted as designated at I39 to receive an arm I4! which is held in place upon said shaft by means of a machine screw I42. arm is pivoted at I43 to another arm I44 which in turn is pivoted at I45 to a bracket I46 secured to the header 28 of easing I2 of the door frame II. As the door is opened, shaft I35 swings from the position shown in Fig. '7 to that shownin Fig 8.

Attached to the wall I22 of closure H8 are two depending brackets I 41 and I48 which are constructed with outwardly extending flanges II and I52. These brackets are attached'to said wall by means of screws I53 which pass through said flanges and are threaded into the wall I22. The brackets I41 and I48 have bosses I55 and I56 formed thereon which project outwardly therefrom and which are disposed approximately midway between the upper and lower walls of the case I I I.

Secured to the shaft I35 are two leaf springs I6I and I62, the ends I63 and I64 of which are clamped between the ovular portion I28 of the shaft I35 and two segmental shaped clamp bars I55 and IE6 secured in clamping relation by means of screws I51 which pass through one of said bars and the shaft I35 and are threaded into the other bar. The composite structure when assembled is substantially cylindrical to facilitate coiling of the springs thereon. The leaf spring I BI is constructed with two reaches III and I12 which lie along the walls H3 and H4 of the case III and which are connected together by means of a looped portion I13. The spring I62 is similarly constructed with spaced parallel reaches I and I16 which lie along the walls H3 and H4 of case I I I and with a looped portion I11 connecting the same together. The reach I12 of spring I6I is attached to a flange I18 formed on the bracket I41 and extends outwardly beyond said bracket overlying the reach I15 of spring I62. In a similar manner the reach I16 of spring I62 is secured to a similar flange I19 on the bracket I48 and extends outwardly beyond said bracket and overlies the reach I1I of spring I6I.

Within the looped portion I1I of spring I6I is disposed a bearing I8I which is constructed in the form of a spool, being provided with a core I82 riveted to two cylindrical heads I83 and I84. These heads engage the inner surface of the looped portion I13 of the spring II and when pressure is applied to the core I82 thereof, urge the looped portion I13 towards the wall H5 of the case, causing a rotation of shaft I35. The bearing I8I is urged in the direction specified by means of a coil spring I85 which is seated at one end against the boss I55 and at its other end against a shoulder I86 formed on a shoe I81 hav ing an arcuate socket I88 engaging the core I82 of the said bearing I8I. This shoe is constructed with a shank I89 which is received within the spring I85 and which holds the shoe I81 in proper position. It will readily be comprehended that spring I85 tends to force the bearing I8I toward the end wall H5 of case III, thereby lengthening the reaches HI and I12 of spring I66 and turning the shaft I35 in a counterclockwise direction.

In the loop I11 of spring I8I is a bearing I9I identical with the bearing I8I which is urged toward the end II6 of case III by means of a compression coil spring I92. This spring is seated at one end against the boss I55 on bracket I48 and at its other end against a shoe I93 identical with the shoe I81. The two springs I85 and I92 operate jointly to procure torque of the shaft I35 in the same direction, whereby rotation of said shaft is effected as the springs expand.

The two springs IBI and I52, as stated, are leaf springs and are of a height less than the distance between the lowermost surface I94 of wall I22 of closure H8 and the bottom II2. Within the chamber H0 is provided a follower plate I95 which fits freely within the interior of the case III and is disposed above the bottom II2 thereof. This plate is drilled at I90 to fit over the portion I34 of shaft I35 and bears against the lowermost edges of the leaf springs I6I and I62, being urged into engagement therewith by means of a compression coil spring I90 extending between said plate and the bottom I I2 of case III. The lengths of the intermediate portion I20 of the shaft 35 and the clamp bars I65 and I66 are exactly of the same length as the width of the springs I8I and I52 so that the plate I95 may be urged snugly against the ends of the springs and parts to form fluid tight connections therebetween. By means of the construction described, the chamber I I0 is divided into two compartments I91 and I98 within the reaches of the springs I8! and I02, two other compartments 20I and 202 upon the exterior of said springs and another compartment 203 beneath the plate I95 and between it and the bottom II2 of case III. These various compartments communicate with one another in the following manner:

Drilled in the portion I24 of closure II8 are two holes 204 and 205 which communicate with the compartments 20! and 202 respectively. Adjusting screws 206 and 201 threaded in the closure H8 control the rate of flow from the chamber I23 to the compartments 29I and 202. In a similar manner, holes 208 and 209 are drilled in the walls I22 of closure I I8 which communicate with the compartments I91 and I98 and with the chamber I23. The rate of flow through these passageways is also regulated by means of ad justing screws 2| I and 2| 2 threaded into the wall I2I of said closure. The entire interior of the chamber I I0 and the chamber I23 is filled with a suitable liquid, such as lubricating oil, glycerine, or any other similar liquid, "suitable for use for the purpose. The chamber I23 is filled through an opening 2I3 in the wall I2I of closure II8 which is closed by a cap 2I4. The chamber H0 is similarly filled with oil prior to the application of the same to the closure H8.

The operation of the form of the invention shown in Figs. 5. 6, 7 and 8, is as follows: When the door I0 is being opened, the shaft 35 is rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. '1 and 8. This causes the reach I1I of spring "SI and the reach I of spring I62 to be wrapped about the shaft I35 and the two clamp bars I65 and I66 as indicated at I68 and I14. Such action shortens such portions of the springs I6I and I62, thus drawing the two loops I13 and I11 toward one another. Such movement compresses the two springs I85 and I92. The position of the parts when the door is open, is shown in Fig. 8. During movement of the parts from the positions shown in Fig. '1, to those shown in Fig. 8, the oil within the compartments I91 and I98 is discharged therefrom. This is accomplished as follows: As soon as these compartments become smaller in size, pressure is created within the same which forces the plate I95 downwardly, permitting the oil to escape between the edges of the springs I6I and I82 and the upper surface of said plate, and also between the overlapping portions of the ends of said springs and the parts I14 and I68 thereof, and into the compartments I and 202. The escape of the oil in this manner is without resistance so that the movement of the door from closing to partly open position is accomplished without appreciably greater effort than required to compress springs I85 and I92. When the door is released the linkage consisting of arms MI and I44 tends to rotate the shaft I35 in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. '1 and 8. This action is, however, limited by the two leaf springs IOI and I62 which retard the rotation of the shaft in the following manner. The pressure in this instance being released from the springs I6I and I62, the springs I85 and I92 tending to urge the bearings IBI and I9I toward the walls H5 and H6 of case III. This causes a reduction of pressure in the two compartments I91 and I99 and pressure in the compartments 20I, 202 and 203. Such pressure forces the plate I95 against the lowermost edges of the springs I81 and I62 and prevents leakage of oil past the same. The tendency for the oil to flow is through the passageways 204 and 205 into the chamber I23 and from this chamber through the passageways 208 and 209 into the compartments I91 and I98. Such flow of oil is regulated by the adjusting screws 200, 201, 2H and 2I2. By means of the adjustment of these screws any timing of the operation of the device can be procured. When the looped portions I13 and I11 of the springs I6I' and I62 pass the holes 208 and 209, as shown in Fig. 8, movement of the parts is extremely slow. As soon as the loops I13 and I11 reach the openings 208 and 209, the timing is controlled and the device operates in the desired manner.

Although I have shown but a single pair of openings 208 and 209 it can readily be comprehended that other additional openings of similar nature may be employed, so that the acceleration of the doors into closing position may be modified to suit the particular requirements.

The advantages of my invention are manifest.

ber also forms the valve, thereby eliminating numerous parts. Wear of the parts of the invention will not greatly reduce the e'fiectiveness of the device. 'The device can beconstructed at a nominal cost. Regulation of the operation of the invention can be easily procured.

Changes in the specific form of my invention, as herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spiritof my invention.

Having described'my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a case providing a compartment having spaced parallel walls, a rotatable member within said compartment rotatable about an axis extending at right angles to said walls, leaf spring means within said compartment attached to means fixed relative to said case and to said rotatable member and extending from one Wall to the other, said leaf spring means having overlapping partscontacting with oneanother and dividing said compartment into two chambers adapted to vary in volume upon rotation of said rotatable member, said overlapping parts being urged into contact through the resiliency of said spring means and forming a check 1 valve between said chambers.

2. In combination, means forming a compartment having spaced parallel end 'Walls and a cylindrical wall between said end walls, a rotatable member within said compartment rotatable about an axis at right angles to said end walls and disposed eccentrically with respect to said cylindrical wall, a spiral leaf spring within said compartment attached at one end to said-cylindrical wall and at its other end to said rotatable member, means including a part of said leaf spring for dividing said compartment into two chambers, said means being disposed at the portion of the cylindrical wall of the case nearest the axis of Said rotatable member.

3. In combination, means forming a compartment having spaced parallel end walls and a cy lindrical wall between said end walls, a rotatable member within said compartment rotatable about an axis at right angles to said end wall and disposed eccentrically with respect to said cylindrical wall, a spiral leaf spring within said compartment attached at one end to said case and at its other end to said rotatable member, said leaf spring contacting with the portion of the cylindrical wall nearest the axis of said rotary member and being spaced from said wall on the opposite sides of the contacting portion thereof to form two chambers within said compartment, and fluid flow control between said chambers.

4. In combination, means forming a compartment having spaced parallel end walls and a cylindrical wall between said end walls, a cylindriconjunction with said cylindrical wall and head two chambers of variable capacity and fluid flow control means acting between said chambers.

5. In combination, means forming a compartment having spaced parallel 'end walls, and a longitudinal wall between said end walls, a rotatable member within said compartment rotatable about an axis extending at right angles to said I end walls and disposed eccentrically with respect to said longitudinal wall toform an enlarged space between said circumferential wall and said member on one side of said member, a looped leaf spring attached to said member and to said longitudinal wall and engagingsaid end walls, said spring extending into said enlarged space, and forming therein two chambers adapted to vary in volume upon rotation of said rotatable member, and fluid flow control means acting between said chambers.

6. In combination, means forming a compartment having spaced parallel end walls, and a circumferential wall between said end walls, a rotatable member within said compartment rotatable about an axis extending at right angles to said end walls and disposed eccentrically with respect to said circumferential wall to form an enlarged space between said circumferential wall and said member on one side of said member, a looped leaf spring attached to said member and to said circumferential wall and engaging said end walls, said spring extending into said enlarged space, and forming therein two chambers adapted to vary in volume upon rotation of said rotatable member, one of said chambers being crescent shaped, and fluid flow control means acting between said chambers.

7. In combination, means forming a compartment having spaced parallel end walls, and a longitudinal wall between said end walls, a rotatable member within said compartment rotatable about an axis extending at right angles to said end walls, a leaf spring attached at one end to said member and at its other end to said Wall, said spring having a plurality of convolutionsyone oi the convolutions contacting with another of the convolutions at one locality and being spaced from said convolutions at another locality to form a chamber between said convolutions, and another chamber on the other side of one of said convolutions, and fluid flow control means between said chambers.

8. In combination, means forming a compartment having spaced parallel end walls and a cylindrical wall between said end walls, a cylindrical head within said compartment rotatable about an axis extending at right angles to said end walls and disposed eccentrically with respect to said cylindrical wall, a spiral leaf spring within said compartment attached at one end to said cylindrical wall and at its other end to said head, said spring having a convolution encircling another of said convolutions and engaging said convolution at spaced localities to form in conjunction therewith a crescent shaped chamber between said convolutions and another chamber upon the exterior of one of said convolutions, said convolutions resiliently engaging one another to form a valve between said chambers.

9. In combination, means forming a compartment having spaced parallel end walls, and a longitudinal wall between said end walls, a rotatable member within said compartment rotatable about an axis extending at right angles to said end walls, a leaf spring attached at one end to said member and at its other end to said wall at one locality, and engaging said wall at another locality, said spring being'spaced from said wall intermediate the locality of attachment and engagement to form a chamber therebetween, and

a chamber on the other side of said spring, and fluid flow control means between said chambers.

10. In combination, means forming a compartment having spaced parallel end walls, and a longitudinal wall between said end walls, a rotatable member within said compartment rotatable about an axis extending at right angles to said end walls, a leaf spring attached at one end to said member and at its other end to said wall at one locality, and engaging said wall at another locality, said spring being spaced from said wall intermediate the locality of attachment and engagement to form a chamber therebetween, and a chamber on the other side of said spring, said spring resiliently engaging said wall to form a valve between said chambers.

11. In combination, means forming a compartment having spaced parallel end walls and a cylindrical wall between said end walls, a rotatable member within said compartment rotatable about an axis at right angles to said end wall, a spiral leaf spring within said compartment encircling said member and attached at one end to said member and at its other end to said wall, said spring being spaced from said wall intermediate the locality of attachment and engagement to form a crescent shaped chamber therebetween and a chamber on the other side of said spring, and fluid control means between said chambers.

12. In combination, a case having a circumscribing wall structure and open at the top, a cap for closing the top of said case, a partition within the case extending across the circumscribing wall structure and spaced from the cap to form a fluid reservoir therebetween, planiform means extending across the circumscribing wall structure and spaced from said partition and forming in conjunction with said circumscribing wall structure and partition a compartment within the case, a rotatable member within the case, a leaf spring within the case attached at one end to said member and at its other end to means fixed relative to the circumscribing wall structure and extending between said partition and said planiform means, said spring forming within said compartment two chambers, and flow control means between said chambers, said fluid flow control means including said reservoir.

13. In combination, a case having a circumscribing wall structure and spaced end walls, a rotatable member within said case, a movable plate within said case spaced from both of said end walls and parallel to and movable toward and from one of them and forming a compartment between itself and the other wall, a leaf spring disposed between said plate and parallel wall, said spring being attached to said rotatable member and to means fixed relative to said case, and operating to rotate said rotatable member,

said spring forming two variable volume chambers between said plate and parallel wall containing a fluid, one of said chambers being under greater pressure than the other when the spring is rotating said rotatable member, said chamber being in communication with said compartment to create a pressure therein for urging said plate toward said parallel wall and against said spring, said plate moving away from said spring when the action of the spring is reversed to conduct fluid freely from one chamber to the other, and means for controlling the flow of fluid between said chambers when the spring is rotating said rotatable member.

14. In combination, a case having a circumscribing wall structure and spaced end walls, a rotatable member within said case, a movable plate within said case spaced from both of said end walls and parallel to and movable toward and from one of them and forming a compartment between itself and the other wall, a leaf spring disposed between said plate and parallel wall, said spring being attached to said rotatable member and to means fixed relative to said case and forming two variable volume chambers, one of said chambers being in communication with said compartment, and means for controlling the flow of fluid from one of said chambers to the other.

15. In combination, an elongated case, a rotatable member disposed near the center of the case, a pair of looped leaf springs within said case on opposite sides of said member, said springs being secured to said member and to means fixed relative to the case, said springs forming pairs of chambers containing a fluid, and means for controlling the flow of fluid from certain of said chambers to others of said chambers.

16. In combination, an elongated case, a rotatable member disposed within said case, a looped leaf spring within said case secured at one end to said member and at its other end to means fixed relative to the case, said spring forming a pair of chambers containing fluid, and means for controlling the flow of fluid from one chamber to the other upon rotation of said rotatable member.

17. In combination, an elongated case, a rotatable member disposed within said case, a looped leaf spring within said case secured at one end tosaid member and at its other end to an abutment positioned in proximity to said rotatable member, means disposed within the loop of said spring and a resilient member extending between said abutment, a bearing for urging said means away from said abutment and procuring rotation of said rotatable member.

18. In combination, an elongated case having side walls and top and bottom walls, a rotatable member disposed near the center of the case and rotating about an axis at right angles to said top wall, a pair of looped leaf springs within said case having their upper edges engaging the top wall, a plate within said case engaging the lowermost edges of said leaf springs, abutments in said case disposed in proximity to said rotatable member, said leaf springs being attached at one end to said rotatable member and at their other ends to said abutments, said springs being formed with loops intermediate their ends, means within said loops and resilient means acting between said abutments, a bearing for urging said means away from said abutments and procuring rotation of said member, said leaf springs forming pairs of chambers having a fluid therein, and means for controlling the flow of fluid from certain of said chambers to others of said chambers.

STERLING O. STAGEBERG. 

